The effects of novel nanohydroxyapatite/hydrogel/N- fertilizers on the growth and quality of lettuce
摘要
The aim of this study was to synthesize two cellulose-based hydrogel/nanohydroxyapatite composites and to investigate their effect on the growth and quality of lettuce, Lactuca sativa L.. of the var. Locarno RZ85-81 in terms of nitrate content under greenhouse conditions. The first composite was synthesized from commercial sources of cellulose and nanohydroxyapatite (SHGH), while the second composite was synthesized from cellulose extracted from cypress and laboratoryprepared nanohydroxyapatite (CHGH). Both composites were loaded with two nitrogen fertilizers (KNO3 and (NH4)2SO4), separately at three different rates (50, 75 and 100 kg nitrogen/he). Growth parameters in terms of fresh weight (FW), plant height, number of leaves were measured at harvest, whereas nitrate content in inner and outer leaves was measured after harvest. Results indicated that CHGH significantly increased FW (147g and 151g), plant height (20cm and 22cm), number of leaves (25 and 22) at the rates of 75%, and 100%, respectively for (NH4)2SO4. In addition, it reduced the nitrate content in the outer leaves (0.73mg/g FW, 0.73mg/g FW and 29mg/g FW) at the rates of 50%, 75%, and 100%, respectively for KNO3 and the inner leaves (0.01mg/g FW and 0.07mg/g FW) at the rates 75% and 100% of KNO3, respectively. In conclusion, the newly developed green CHGH was superior to SHGH in enhancing growth and reducing nitrate content in lettuce.